Singapore’s legislative moves reflect a focus on addressing private matters like scams and community disputes.
Key Details
New Legislation on Scams: The Protection from Scams Bill, introduced in Parliament on November 11, aims to empower the police to take control of bank accounts belonging to scam victims who refuse to believe they are being scammed, despite evidence. If passed, the police will be able to issue restriction orders to limit money transfers, ATM withdrawals, credit card transactions, and personal loans, marking a significant shift towards more intrusive powers to tackle scams.
Mandatory Mediation for Neighbour Disputes: On November 12, the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill was passed, which mandates mediation for neighbourhood disputes. It also introduces powers for officers from the Community Relations Unit (CRU) to forcibly enter homes and declutter them in extreme hoarding cases. The law, after a five-hour debate, reflects a shift towards stronger state intervention in private matters.
Intrusiveness of the Laws: Both Bills grant significant powers to public officers to intervene in private matters, such as restricting financial transactions and entering homes. Critics may see these measures as invasive, but they are introduced in response to escalating problems that earlier measures have not effectively solved.
Escalating Scam Issues: Scam cases in Singapore have surged, with incidents nearly quintupling from 2019 to 2023. More than $385.6 million was lost to scams in the first half of 2024 alone, despite ongoing public education and existing safeguards like a “kill switch” to freeze bank accounts. These figures highlight the growing scale of the problem, prompting stronger legal measures.
